Angel Lynn - Coercive Control

Angel Lynn was in an abusive relationship with Chay Bowskill. On 17^th September 2020, Angel was kidnapped by Bowskill. Bowskill was captured on CCTV chasing Angel down a street following an argument. He was seen to grab her from behind and she was forced into a van by him, which she subsequently exited whilst the van was travelling at 60mph on a dual carriageway. She was later found seriously injured by a member of the public. This resulted in life changing injuries. Angel suffered a catastrophic brain injury. This has left Angel unable to live independent and dependent on her carers.

Angel was subjected to prolonged abuse by Bowskill, including controlling and coercive behaviour. Bowskill bombarded Angel with repulsive and degrading messages. Bowskill controlled her freedom of movement by a variety of means and he did not allow her a life away from him.

Bowskill was convicted of kidnap, coercive and controlling behaviour and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months. It was reported he would serve half his sentence, taking into account the time he had spent on remand, totalling a mere 3 years and 9 months.

The Solicitor General Alex Chalk QC MP, (one of the law officers of the Crown in Government within the U.K whose duty it is to advise the Crown and Cabinet on the law), referred Bowskill’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The Court found Bowskill’s original sentence to be too lenient and increased his sentence to 12 years.

Currently 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse within their lifetime. On average 2 women a week are murdered and 30 men per year due to domestic abuse.

There is no single crime of ‘Domestic Abuse’, however, there a number of different types of abuse which take place that can be an offence, these can include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Assault
• ABH (Actual Bodily Harm)
• GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm)
• Threatening to kill
• Wounding
• Strangling
• Choking
• Harassment
• Criminal damage to property
• Putting the victim in fear of violence
• Sexual assault
• Rape
• Kidnap
• Forced marriage
• Theft
• Female Genital Mutilation
• Coercive Control

If you or anyone you know is being subjected to domestic abuse, please contact the Domestic Violence and Abuse Department (DVAD) for expert advice as to what protective measures are available, either by clicking on the links, or by telephoning Johnson Astills on 0116 255 4855.